Food and Health Development Team

Chris Mantle - Fundraising

Chris has volunteered with and then worked for Edinburgh Community Food since 2008.  Having run cooking groups and training courses across the city for many years, he is now responsible for fundraising for Edinburgh Community Food.

Chris is also an approved HENRY trainer, delivering courses in the Lothians and Fife.

Outside of work Chris is a musician, reads a lot and loves going camping on the west coast.

E-mail: [email protected]

Telephone: 0131 467 7326

Jo Howie - Food and Health Development Team Lead

Jo is a Registered Associate Nutritionist and has worked at Edinburgh Community Food since February 2018.  Jo currently supervises our dynamic Development Team and also manages the Eat Well for Oral Health project funded by the Scottish Government's Oral Health Challenge Fund. 

Jo is also an experienced deliverer of the REHIS Elementary Food and Health, Eating Well for Older People and Elementary Food Hygiene courses.  Jo also oversees the Edinburgh Community Cafe Network.

E-mail: [email protected]

Telephone: 0131 467 7326

Theodora Hidalgo - Food and Health Development Officer

Theodora joined Edinburgh Community Food in October 2020 as one of the teams Food and Health Development Officers, delivering cooking groups and food health sessions as part of the Out & About project. She is also an award winning REHIS Elementary Food Hygiene trainer!

In her spare time she is an avid musician, and loves long country walks and is also a full-time cat lady!

E-mail: [email protected]

Telephone: 0131 467 7326

Louise Cairns - Food and Health Development Officer

Louise is an Associate Registered Nutritionist and joined Edinburgh Community Food in October 2020.

Louise works with The Willow Project where she provides nutritional support for women who have been involved in the criminal justice system. She is currently working on our 'Home from Hospital' food box delivery project and also coordinates the Growing to Love project in partnership with Veg Power UK. 

Louise delivers the REHIS Food & Health, Eating Well for Older People and Elementary Food Hygiene courses.

In her spare time, Louise enjoys cooking, spending time in her garden and country walks and cycles.

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 0131 467 7326

Sema Jamali - Food and Health Development and Operations Officer

Sema is an Associate Registered Nutritionist specialising in public health and early years nutrition. She has previously worked within the health sector, local and national governments, and has been with Edinburgh Community Food since May 2023. She runs our Healthy Little Foodies project, supporting families with young children with early years nutrition workshops on topics such as weaning and fussy eating as well as supporting the Social Enterprise team with health promotions at their NHS hospital stalls.

Outside of work, Sema is kept on her toes by her two active young sons.

E-mail: [email protected]

Telephone: 0131 467 7326